Caitlin Hayes scored a 99th-minute equaliser for Celtic to disclaim defending champions and title rivals Rangers an important victory within the Scottish Ladies’s Premier League as tensions spilled over after the full-time whistle.

Within the first SWPL sport to be proven stay on Sky Sports activities, a first-half purpose from Brogan Hay (36) seemed set to be the distinction, however Hayes’ strike within the ninth minute of stoppage time salvaged some extent for Fran Alonso’s facet.

However as Alonso celebrated at full-time, Rangers assistant coach Craig McPherson appeared to intention a headbutt on the Celtic head coach.

“Someone simply pushed me from behind,” Alonso advised Sky Sports activities when he was proven the incident. “I did not converse to him for the entire sport however he was clearly disillusioned to concede within the final minute. I completely get it.

“I acquired referred to as ‘a bit rat’ and I do not know why.”

Rangers head coach Malky Thomson advised Sky Sports activities the membership will cope with the incident.

“With out seeing it, I will not touch upon it,” he stated. “If that is the case there might be an investigation.”

The outcome means leaders Glasgow Metropolis, who beat Hibernian 2-0 on Saturday, finish the primary spherical of fixtures following the SWPL break up eight factors away from Celtic in second and 9 forward of Rangers in third.

How Celtic denied Rangers essential win

After Glasgow Metropolis moved 9 factors clear on the high of the desk following their 2-0 win at Hibernian on Saturday, Celtic and Rangers each knew something aside from a victory within the third Outdated Agency conflict of the season could be a major blow to their title probabilities.

Whereas the primary assembly between the 2 rivals ended 0-0 in November, Celtic beat Rangers 3-0 final month nevertheless it was Malky Thomson’s facet who dominated the opening phases of Monday’s sport.

Rangers made a assured begin however had been lucky to not fall behind within the 14th minute when goalkeeper Jenna Fife’s clearance was charged down by Natasha Flint, just for the ball to rebound behind for a goal-kick.

Celtic hardly ever threatened within the first half however wished a penalty seven minutes later when Lisa Martinez acquired the improper facet of Caitlin Hayes from a nook and appeared to tug her opponent to the bottom. Nonetheless, referee Steven MacDonald waved away the appeals and with no VAR in operation, the sport remained goalless.

Regardless of that incident, it was Rangers who managed nearly all of the competition. Captain Kathryn Hill noticed two efforts routinely saved by Pamela Tajonar earlier than the hosts deservedly took the lead within the thirty sixth minute, albeit in lucky circumstances.

Celtic skipper Kelly Clark tried to chop out Emma Watson’s low cross from the left, however as a substitute she took the ball away from Tajonar who had rushed off her line to gather, leaving Brogan Hay with a easy tap-in to place her facet in entrance at half-time.

Celtic improved after the break however had been unable to create any clear-cut probabilities. Flint fired nicely over simply earlier than the hour mark whereas Hayes noticed her header simply collected by Fife seven minutes earlier than full-time.

American ahead Package Loferski, whose signing was introduced on the day of the sport, was launched within the seventieth minute nevertheless it wasn’t till the ultimate seconds that the guests earned what may now transform a useful level.

A hopeful ball ahead from the again brought about Rangers’ defence issues and as Fife rushed out to clear the ball, it rebounded off Hayes, permitting the Celtic defender to faucet into an empty purpose to start out jubilant celebrations.

With 9 video games remaining following the SWPL break up, each Rangers and Celtic will nonetheless consider they’ll chase down unbeaten leaders Glasgow Metropolis, however Monday’s outcome undoubtedly favours the 15-time champions.

Elsewhere within the SWPL

Leaders Glasgow Metropolis stay high after their 2-0 win at Hibernian on Saturday, whereas Hearts beat Partick Thistle 1-0 within the different top-six fixture.

Within the backside half, Motherwell received 4-1 in opposition to rivals Hamilton Academical, Spartans beat Dundee United 1-0 and Aberdeen overcame rock-bottom Glasgow 3-1.

Alonso: ‘Virtually looks like a win’

Celtic head coach Fran Alonso was delighted with the victory:

“We wished the three factors however we knew we had been going through a high, high facet.

“On the finish we put a centre-back up entrance and we by no means gave up. To attain like that, it nearly looks like a win.

“I am very, very happy with the blokes. I felt prefer it was one half per group so it is a honest outcome.

“We’re positively in a title battle. We’ve got to play Glasgow Metropolis twice and Rangers, clearly each sport might be tough.

“The one factor we misplaced at this time is it is not in our fingers anymore, we rely on Rangers taking factors from Glasgow Metropolis now as nicely.”

Thomson: ‘It leaves us batting for second’

Malky Thomson advised Sky Sports activities their title bid may very well be over:

“I believe it was an incredible spectacle for the followers watching it and it had all the pieces. A little bit of drama, two objectives.

“I am gutted however we’re Rangers, we’ll want to select ourselves up and transfer on.

“It is actually tough, particularly contemplating the primary half once we had been glorious.

“We had an actual good probability to make it 2-0 and put the sport out of attain. It was an entertaining sport, clearly it leaves us battling for second place now, however possibly there might be some extra thrills and spills.

“I am a bit gutted, however we’ll choose ourselves up and transfer on.”

What’s subsequent?

Rangers Ladies host Hibernian of their subsequent SWPL match on April 2, with kick-off at 4.10pm. Celtic play Partick Thistle at house on the identical day, with the sooner kick-off time of 3pm.